NetApp, Cisco Unveil Joint FlexPod Channel Program

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NetApp and Cisco on Monday unveiled a combined channel program for their FlexPod converged infrastructure business, calling it the first such united program developed by two major vendors.

That program, the FlexPod Premium Partner Framework, brings NetApp and Cisco together to develop partner enablement and certification strategies for top solution provider partners common to the two, said Brian Allison, director of data center go-to-market solutions for San Jose, Calif.-based Cisco.

"This is the first time two companies have gotten together to speak as one voice with partners about how they go to market and build their business," Allison said. "We want to talk about how to build the FlexPod business, provide the needed tools and increase profitability."

Allison said the FlexPod Premium Partner Framework is the opportunity to give partners a branding unique to the FlexPod offering. "It says to the market, 'I'm a FlexPod partner with advanced capabilities,'" he said.

FlexPod is a series of pre-validated configurations based on various storage appliances from Sunnyvale, Calif.-based NetApp, and it can be modified by solution providers to meet customer requirements.

Paul Lidsky, president and CEO of Datalink, a Chanhassen, Minn.-based solution provider and partner to both vendors, called the new FlexPod Premium Partner Framework an important step both in the industry as well as for the industry and for the two vendors' partners.

"When you think about FlexPod and its integrated nature, having the two vendors come together sends a strong message, not only about support but about the importance of their collaboration going forward," Lidsky said.

Datalink's primary storage partner is NetApp, and the company already had all the requisite certifications from that vendor and from Cisco, making it easy for the solution provider to be the first to receive FlexPod Premium Partner Framework authorization, Lidsky said

"Datalink was also the first partner to be certified to offer direct support, not via the manufacturer, for FlexPod customers," he said. "So when customers buy FlexPod from us, they're not concerned about whether to contact NetApp or Cisco. They call Datalink. The new program expands the environment for support and sends the message to customers that the two vendors are committed to working together."

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